Sunday, February 03, 2008

China's Storm

I received this email today from Jenny Bowen, Exec. Director of Half the Sky Foundation. I am on their mailing list. The winter storm situation in China is very, very sad. Please, if you are able and are inclined, visit the web site below to give any amount of money you can to help China's orphanages. Half the Sky Foundation has a good reputation and has helped many of China's orphanages. Please read the email below.

Dear, dear friends –

Your response in answer to our appeal for the Little Mouse Emergency Fundis astounding. Everyone that we have spoken with today in China who isdealing with this crisis has asked us to pass on deepest thanks for yourconcern and love for the children.

And we at Half the Sky are simply overwhelmed by your generosity. I’vespent much of today in tears just thinking about how much love there isout there for these children who so often seem forgotten. Clearly, youhave remembered them!

We expect to have a break in the weather tomorrow and then more stormsmoving in on Tuesday. We hope to use the brief window to get some directrelief to the orphanages that need it most desperately, especially intowns without power where no funds can be wire-transferred.

We will be receiving a list of orphanages with urgent needs by noontomorrow (Monday here in China.) There are 20 in Hunan Province alone.We have made arrangements to wire funds directly wherever possible andpromised anyone who’s using their personal funds right now to care for thechildren that they will be reimbursed promptly. All institutionsreceiving funds will provide us with receipts and photographs of itemspurchased.

Changzhou, Jiangsu – UPDATE: The orphanage now reports they are runningout of diapers and need 750 diapers per day for an estimated 10 days.

Chengdu, Sichuan – UPDATE: Chengdu repeats their request for a largeheater and disposable diapers. They also request 80 warm quilts.

Chenzhou, Hunan – UPDATE: The largest hotel in Chenzhou is running on oneemergency generator and townsfolk who’ve been without power for days havefilled all rooms and lobbies. There are very few places in town with evenemergency power now. Hopes are to get some electricity by next weekend.We are in daily touch with the orphanage. They know that everyone isthinking of them and determined to get them the help they need.

Chuzhou, Anhui - UPDATE: Reports that their industrial clothes dryerbroke down two days ago. They've tried to repair but it is still notworking and they have no way to dry clothes and diapers in the cold. Theyask for purchase of a new dryer and for disposable diapers.

Guiyang, Guizhou – UPDATE: Power is intermittant. They repeat the requestfor diapers and now understand that HTS has okayed the purchase.

Hangzhou, Zhejiang - Because of snow, they've been unable to getvegetables for several days. They request a subsidy to purchase food athigher prices and also ask for disposable diapers.

Hefei, Anhui – UPDATE: The orphanage now realizes they will soon run outof disposable diapers. They ask for funds to purchase 7500 diapers.

Nanchang, Jiangxi – UPDATE: Their boiler for hot water supply has brokendown. They ask for funds to purchase a new one.

Qingyuan, Guangdong – UPDATE: With HTS funds, they have purchased 110 setsof quilts and padded jackets but have been unable to find heaters anywherein Qingyuan. They are going to try to send someone south to Guangzhou tofind heaters.

Shaodian, Henan - HTS supports a Family Village here for children orphanedby AIDS. Due to the heavy snow and bitter cold, the children suffer fromchilblains on their hands and feet. Water pipes have frozen and they arenow able to get water only a few hours a day. Food costs are rising. Powersupply is intermittant. They request heaters and cream for chilblains aswell as a subsidy for food.

Xinyang, Henan – UPDATE: It seems first information on Xinyang did notcome from director of institution. Today's news is not so favorable. Ithas been snowing since January 10 and temperatures are the lowest inhistory. Some heaters are broken. The institution has gathered all of thechildren together in the largest HTS activity room to kep them warm. Dueto the weight of ice, the roof has cracked and there are leaks into someof the HTS acivity rooms as well as the nurseries. They are installing a"temporary" toilet on the same floor as the big activity room so childrenand caregivers don't slip on the icy corridors and stairs. They ask fordisposable diapers, winter clothes, cream for chilblains for thechildren's hands and feet. HTS staff continues to walk to work through thesnow and ice; there is no public transportation.

Yangchun, Guangdong - reports a need for space heaters and hot waterbottles for 88 babies at two sites.

Please consider passing this message on to anyone you think might want tohelp.

Half the Sky was created in order to enrich the lives and enhance the prospects for orphaned children in China. We establish and operate infant nurture and preschool programs, provide personalized learning for older children and establish loving permanent family care and guidance for children with disabilities. It is our goal to ensure that every orphaned child has a caring adult in her life and a chance at a bright future.

Want to receive our free Half the Sky newsletter, full of stories and photos, via regular mail? Just go to our website www.halfthesky.org and click on "Join our Mailing List."

1 comment:

It’s been a long and winding journey,
But I’m finally here tonight
picking up the pieces
walking back into the light.
If you could see what I see
That you’re the answer to my prayers
And if you could feel the tenderness I feel
You would know it would be clear,
that angels brought me here
~Guy Sebastian